Maia Song Contest 3

The Maia Song Contest 3 will be the third edition of the Maia Song Contest. It will be hosted in Daugapiļs, Uslye, following their win in the previous edition with Lindsey Stirling and Lzzy Hale. Seven countries participated for the first time in this edition - Cordence, Drékýriðn, Papavertellus, Perlamuhay, Urtistan, Valeria, and Zarta. Also, Lianistan returned to the contest after being absent from the previous edition.

Location
The venue of the third Maia Song Contest was announced on 27 August along with the Slogan and Logo of the upcoming contest by Televīzija Uslīa with the Ice Palace, located in Daugapiļs being revealed as the arena and host city of the contest.

Bidding phase
Five venues were announced as possible venues for the competition to be held. BTV and the MBU announced the conditions under which cities and venues could announce their interest in hosting the contest.


 * The host city had to be near a major airport.
 * The venue must be available for at least six weeks before the contest and one week after the conclusion of the contest
 * The venue must not be open-air, but an air-conditioned building with a capacity of at least 10,000 and a minimum ceiling height of 15 metres (49 ft), insulated for sound and light.
 * The green room must be located as close to the arena as possible (or within it), with a capacity of 300.

Host venue



Format
The five highest-scoring countries, including host Uslye, are automatically qualified to the final. The other 37 countries must qualify from one of two semi-finals, in which 10 countries shall qualify from each.

Semi-final allocation draw
The participating countries have been split into five pots based on their overall performance at previous editions of the contest.

Semi Final 1
Svu & Swae, Temekylopia, and Uslye also voted in this semi-final. A voting grid can be found here.

Semi Final 2
Zycantia and Kashykia also voted in this semi-final. A voting grid can be found here.


 * 1.The song features a few lines and words in English.

Grand Final
A full playlist containing all twenty-five songs can be found here. A voting grid can be found here.

Interruption of Darkwood votes
While reading out the votes of Darkwood, spokesperson and former MSC performing artist Mariette Hansson was interrupted by Gloom star Lea Rue, who rushed on screen, pushing Hansson out of the way. She began to shout expletives at the audience and complained about her loss against Alizee at Lejda Ka'ohi par Maia 2 before directing offensive slurs at the people of Kaohportia. Hansson, annoyed by her actions, began trying to push her back. Rue refused to go away, so Hansson grabbed her by the hair and pulled off what was revealed to be a wig, leaving a completely bald Rue staring directly at the camera. Rue was taken by security and could be seen fighting against them in the background as Hansson delivered the top 3 scoring countries. This was Lea Rue's first appearance in the public eye since she hid in the woods after her dramatic loss.

International broadcasts and voting
Please check the list of official rules before submitting a spokesperson.

Voting and spokespersons

 * Kristina Maria (Amsok representative in the second edition)
 * Courtney Stodden
 * Marina Joyce
 * Colton Haynes
 * Stacy Layne Matthews
 * Mariette Hansson (Darkwood representative in the first edition)
 * Sara Bareilles
 * Robbie Williams
 * Maggie Smith
 * Samantha Stosur
 * Phoebe Timmins
 * Stromae
 * Miranda Cosgrove
 * Lea Rue


 * Aubrey Plaza
 * Beren Saat
 * Sofia Jannok
 * Bára Silvansdóttir
 * Emma Willis
 * Andi Knoll
 * Annalisa (Metrockan representative in the second edition)
 * Robbie Magasiva
 * Reina Triendl
 * Ben Woolner (Winner of Maia Song Contest 1 as part of SAFIA)
 * Aaron Taylor-Johnson
 * Klarisse de Guzman
 * Casi
 * Natalie Horler
 * Çıldıs Tanagaşeva


 * Helena Paparizou (Sueltan representative in the second edition)
 * Pia Mia
 * Dami Im
 * Maritess Trosper
 * Suchitra Pillai
 * BLEONA
 * Lawrence Sonntag
 * Tina Fey
 * Hendrike Brenninkmeyer
 * Rebecca Mader
 * Texas Lady
 * Lee Lin Chin
 * Shaniqua Stevic & Vera Gomes

Other countries
Eligibility for potential participation in the Maia Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active MBU membership that would be able to broadcast the contest. The MBU will issue an invitation of participation in the contest to all active members. Seven countries have released the following official statements on their participation.

Active MBU countries

 * - The country was forced to withdraw following a lack of co-operation with the Maia Broadcasting Union, as well as financial and structural struggles.
 * - Ezzish participation was uncertain as no information was given in regards to the country's continuation in the contest from their national broadcaster when all others had. It was confirmed on 2 September that they were not on the final list of participating countries.
 * - Despite qualifying for the final, the Foronian broadcaster decided to withdraw from the third edition citing financial difficulties as the main reason for the withdrawal.
 * - The country withdrew due to structural problems regarding the country's national broadcaster.
 * - The national broadcaster, SiMi TV, announced on 28 August that they would withdraw from the contest because they felt they are unable to meet the commitments expected with participation.
 * - The country withdrew due to structural problems regarding the country's national broadcaster.

MBU non-members

 * – On 2 September 2016, Shaniqua Diva Fantasy Network (SDFN) announced that they had applied for MBU membership, a prerequisite for the contest. However it was rejected as the country is not recognised as an independent state. SDFN executive Shaniqua "Shaniqua Diva" Stevic later announced that the SDFN would not broadcast the Maia Song Contest 3, airing One Woman Show in its place, describing the program as "a one woman show starring Shaniqua Diva as she performs all of the entries of the Maia Song Contest 3 and does... other things".